Ashlee Simpson posted the above photo to Twitter yesterday with the caption, “Writing sesh on the balcony. My album doesn’t seem so far away…”

A few years ago, I would have maybe been secretly excited about this ’cause, I’ll admit it, I was totally taken with Ashlee when she first came out with her MTV reality show. Her first album had some summer jams, okay? And the second album was fun. That “L.O.V.E” song? Maybe I was just a drunk college student at the time or something… but now?

After seeing the way Ashlee treated her on-again husband Pete and reading other unsavory items about her, I kind of can’t imagine that she has anything to say that I’d like to hear.

Is there any way you’d get pumped over a new Ashlee Simpson album, or is this going to be Melrose Place part 2 for her?

The Hollywood Reporter is saying that American Idol fans are pissed that James Durbin was sent home on last night’s show, but this Idol fan couldn’t be any happier.

James never really did it for me. I felt like his whole shtick was very one-note, and that his personality became less and less likable each time he took to the stage. There was something grandstand-y and cocky about him that I just couldn’t handle. On top of all of that and probably most importantly, I couldn’t imagine what a James Durbin album would sound like. Some artists can pull off a sound that’s a tribute to a time long ago, but I don’t see hair band-style wailing making a comeback any time soon. There’s really no place for it on today’s radio dial (except for 80s rock tribute stations.)

After Wednesday’s show I was fearful that Haley, who’d mouthed off to the judges over their harsh criticisms of her performance, was going to be the one to go, but she’s totally sticking around for the top three (and should take the whole thing, as far as I’m concerned.)

A Haley/Lauren/Scotty finale seems just about perfect to me (I would switch out Scotty for Emily’s future husband Casey, if I really had a choice,) but what do you think? Let me know in the poll and the comments how you feel about the large eared James hitting the bricks…

Of course Nicki Minaj‘s outtakes from her BlackBook shoot are better than most people’s best photos. Of course, right? Nicki is fun, funny and facially flawless. And obviously we can never stop talking about her butt.

These serve no purpose other than pure eye candy, so enjoy…

I haven’t really gotten into how much I LOVE me some Bethenny Frankel on here yet, but now’s the perfect time because homegirl is getting sued for a cool $100 million.

As you’ve probably heard by now, she recently sold her company, SkinnyGirl, for $120 million dollars. That’s a lot of money for just about any self-made business woman (or anyone,) but for a Real Housewife? Good luck trying to top that, Jill Zarin of Zarin Fabrics.

Now that she’s made bank, all the sneaky little rodents who helped her out along the way are crawling back out of their gutters to try and grab a piece of her fortune, and one ex-manager is coming after her for $100 million, saying that since he was the one who introduced her to the liquor reps she grew SkinnyGirl with, he’s responsible for her success.

Bethenny released a statement today, and in true baller-ass bitch fashion, she brought it. She said, “Life is good for me with all the things that are most important, namely family. But let’s be clear, I am a strong woman, and I am not afraid and won’t back down when I’m bullied by something with zero merit. Success is earned by hard work, not taking advantage of others. Unfortunately, one of the signs of success is being the subject of frivolous lawsuits, like this one. This is simply someone with his hand out, who did nothing to earn it, and I am not going to be bullied.”

Damn. She later added, “We are exploring all of our options, including filing counterclaims against these people.”

You GO, Bethenny. I couldn’t be happier for her, her adorable husband Jason or her baby if I tried. Can’t wait to see her shut down this cretin in court.

This is pretty commendable: Actor Matthew Perry, who previously did three stints in rehab for alcohol abuse and prescription pill addiction, is going back to rehab but not because he relapsed, he just wants to continue his recovery process.

In a public statement, Matthew said, “I’m making plans to go away for a month to focus on my sobriety and to continue my life in recovery. Please enjoy making fun of me on the World Wide Web.”

Basically Matthew’s doing more than just the standard AA and NA treatments. He’s putting his money to good use and aggressively ensuring that he’s living his life sober. He also seems to have a pretty good handle on how the Internet reacts to the news of ANYONE going to rehab, even if they’re not some total fuck up.

Sorry I had to start the day with such positive news, I know that that’s probably not what you were hoping for. ;)

All you skanks out there with two-toned hair should be rejoicing! Lady Gaga has finally out-skanked you with this new tri-colored hair do.

I actually don’t totally hate it. Sure, it’s more of the predictably weird (AKA not that weird at all) shit that we’ve come to expect from Gaga, but hey! Nicki Minaj does similar stuff with her hair, and y’all know how much I love that.

Are you digging on this new look or do you think that it’s just as tragic as her music (except “Born This Way,” which has totally grown on me!)